I'm thinking about going back to a Class A. Would like a diesel, with one slide, 28 to 36 foot, 10 to 15 years old.
right.
All I find are a little pricey, and 37 or 38 feet long.
However, I can find coaches with the Ford V10 in them that are pretty close to perfect.
What problems will I find in a used V10 engine? What years should I avoid(if any)?
What fuel economy (yeah, I know!) could I reasonable expect, towing my Jeep?
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
mowermech wrote: I'm thinking about going back to a Class A. Would like a diesel, with one slide, 28 to 36 foot, 10 to 15 years old.
right.
All I find are a little pricey, and 37 or 38 feet long.
However, I can find coaches with the Ford V10 in them that are pretty close to perfect.
What problems will I find in a used V10 engine? What years should I avoid(if any)?
What fuel economy (yeah, I know!) could I reasonable expect, towing my Jeep?
we have the Itasca Suncruiser 35U on the Ford V10/310 HP engine with 80K+ miles on it. we've had a couple of chassis issues...one blown spark plug and we replaced the paper air filter with a better K&N unit. i'm told that the tritons are prone to blowing spark plugs. the air filter was replaced when the std one became water logged while driving in a huge t-storm. i think there's a TSB on the air filter problem for model years 1999 or 2000 forward.
i also added a second vaccuum reservoir added to compensate for loss when i climb hills. prior to that the dash AC fan would quit blowing when climbing steep hills or when running more than 2500-rpms.
i've kept pretty good mileage records since buying new in june 2000. as of today our overall MPG is 6.66, 7.09 for the last 10 fillups. the MH weighs in at roughly 19,500-lbs and since 2003 we've towed our jeep wrangler (3400-lbs) or our jeep liberty (4200-lbs).
overall i like the chassis, engine and tranny.
73,
rich, n9dko www.bananaboatbytes.com
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fulid. He says he can stop anytime.
_________________________________
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
'46 Willys CJ2A
'03 Jeep Wrangler TJ
'10 Jeep Liberty KK
2005 or 2006 is the year of the upgraded 305 to 362 HP 3 valve. I'd try and find a 2005/2006 or newer F53 chassis. Can someone with a better memory confirm that for me?
FWIW we're ~18 000 + Jeep and drive up and down mountains all day. Sure it'll scream a bit on 14% grades but I can pass anything with a dually back end. Semis, DP's C's and 5ers
I get 6-8 MPG or one full day driving per tank. That is with genny running for AC and the Jeep hanging off the back.
There's lots of power but about the only downside I can see is the 5K tow limit. With 2 kids and stuff a larger TOAD might be nice. But that pumps up the DP to one with a 10K limit and that is a real jump in $$. So for now the kids will just have to have stuff on their laps
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
We have a 2000 with the 310hp v10 in a 38'coach. We've owned it since new and now with 74k miles engine has performed flawlessly. Living out west, we've pulled quite a few 6-7% grades and it gets up and over them although not at high speeds. We tow a 2003 Suzuki Xl7 weighing approx 3,600 lbs.
Fuel mileage, ours has averaged 7mpg over the years, however with a smaller lighter weight coach you should easily expect between 8-9.5mpg cruising between 58 & 62mph.
Good luck with your search...
Jim & Sherry Seward
Las Vegas, NV
2000 Residency 3790 V-10 w/tags & Banks System
2003 Suzuki XL/7 toad
06 model was major changes to the power train. Three valve heads, redesigned spark plugs to prevent blow outs, five speed transmission with tow/haul selection. Go Here for published specs. Only problem I've had is a very slow leak in the power steering pump. Easy rebuild. Mileage has been steady in the mid 7s. HP/Torque curve will surprise you the first highway on ramp you hit. 10 cylinders running at 4000 rpm a foot from your right knee gets your attention. The engine comes to life above 3K but cruises very nicely at 2.5K RPM/62 MPH/8 MPG. Parts are easy to find considering the setup is used in the Super Duty P/U line.
I would say what you have to watch for is how much the builders load the chassis during build out leaving little CCC. Also the 22K Lbs chassis only has 4K of towing weight available as compared to 5K for the lighter chassis models. Also the 22K chassis has 22.5 wheels, 19.5 on all the others. Total GCWR is 26K Lbs for the F53 chassis.
I was in your shoes and wanted a DP but just couldn't find what I wanted in a floor plan at a price that was in my budget. Been very happy with my 32' gasser.
2006 Hurricane 31D aka 'Moby' the Whale
FCC(SW) US Navy Retired 1980-2003
Stella my Navigator
Bogart the All American RV Dog
and
Cocoui waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge
we have a 09 monaco-29ft. 12.6 not towing,10 with the 3100-toad. three slides, high dollar inside decor,drives like a dream forus,v10 is good for us. wow rv on steiroids. --happy-camping
Thanks for the responses.
It looks like, since I am looking at coaches in the 1998 to 2001 range, my best bet would be to wait until the "right" DP comes along.
I have found a few, but they seem to always be in Texas or Florida!
The price of a older DP would be the same as a newer gas. If a DP is what you want go for it. There is a lot of info on this site to help you make the right decision.
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